Diaper change at poolside..would you say something?

[Princess Stitch]

My DH has changed our dd's in fast food restaurant booths plenty of times. Often, there aren't any changing tables in men's rooms (and in some places...like some Burger Kings and Wendy's) there aren't any at all. So....if they don't want to offer a place, he makes his own.

That's awful that they don't offer changing tables in bathrooms, but then why not change her in her stroller or in the car rather than on a bench where people sit on while they eat. Forcing other people to smell that while they eat is not very nice. I understand being upset at the restaurant, but it's not the fault of the patrons, why make them suffer?

I would hope that your DH sanitized the booth afterwards, but I'm sure not everyone does. If there's any "residue" left over and the next little kid accidentally touches it and then eats coudn't it make them sick?

I mean, how would you feel if an adult decided to bring along a potty and use it while they were in the booth? The fact that it's a baby with a diaper doesn't make it any more acceptable.

 

[brergnat]

Well, having two little ones (3 and 1), I don't eat ANYWHERE without giving it a thorough wipe down with a wet ones antibacterial wipe. I carry them with me when we leave the house and I wipe down any surface that they will even be eating NEAR.

Let this be a lesson.

Yes, it was inappropriate for that lady to do that, but I'm sure it happens WAY more often that you would like to believe...

 

[Luv Bunnies]

If you can stand another fast food story, I worked at McDonald's when I was in high school (1983 - yikes ). I was always disgusted when people would come up and plop their diapered kid right down on the counter while they ordered. Often, the child was wearing just a diaper on their bottom - no pants or dress to provide an extra layer. People would also stand their children up with the soles of their dirty shoes or bare feet right on the counter. I was always thinking, "Excuse me - we pass food over this counter!" I asked the manager once if I should say something when people did this. She said no - we don't want to anger the customers and lose their business...just wipe the counter after they leave. It wasn't always possible to stop and wipe the counter during a rush when a new customer comes up right away and wants to be helped. We just did the best we could in spite of rude people!

 

[cheyennemama]

I would never change my child on a table! Ick! As far as public changings, I've personally only done it once. There was a long, angry line at the restroom of a fair and I did it right there in the stroller.

When we were at Disney 2 yrs ago, my (now ex) husband kept changing my (then 18 mo old) son in public. I'd take my (then) 3 year old DD into the restroom and ask him to change our DS and he'd do it right there outside the restroom. Mind you it was always pee only, but still. The restroom is RIGHT there. Once we were on a line and I asked him when the last time was that we changed DS. He decided to change DS right there in the stroller while on line. You can only imagine the reactions. MInd you, I see nothing wrong with changing a baby in a stroller. It's more out of consideration of others that I don't.

And if someone did that right near me, I would never say anything. If it was a smelly one, I'd be completely grossed out, but I still wouldn't say anything.

 

[The Great Baboo]

Obviously, the woman poolside has poor judgment or no manners, but I think this speaks more to the bigger issue of the DISGUSTING people who use the changing tables at Disney....we have a now 1 yo - we brought him to Disney in November of last year and this past April -- November was too bad because he was still small and cooperative and I could line the table with an inch thick changing pad and he would stay still. In April, during spring break, the crowds were heavy and the people were piggish!! There were women that would just slop their kids up on these tables (especially those with toddler size dumps!) and with no paper towels, or throw your sweat shirt down, or anything and change their kids and as I watched in horror. I gave up on the piggies and started either changing my son in the stroller outside or if the handicapped bathroom was available (which is another story, b/c people who either have no stroller or are not handicapped use it all the time), I would change him in there and then take care of my business.

I remember one time I stood patiently waiting for 1/2 hour watching the same person change her almost two year old -- first the big dumparoo -- and I mean massive - adult size only a lot looser and messier (sorry if I got too graphic), then she changed all of her clothes, brushing her hair, etc....I gave up & used the handicapped bathroom to change my son.....on the way out, I noticed she went into the other handicapped bathroom and then planted herself in there.

Comes down to common courtesy for the next person ...which I hate to say it, seems like a lot of the moms do not have -- for our next trip in June, I am going to use the men's rooms changing tables -- no offense guys, but they are probably a lot cleaner if not immaculate.....if someone says something to me, I have a son so he is entitled to use the men's room -- to wit: he's "member" of that club.....

Maybe I;ll report back at the end of June and post my tale of woe with regards to this issue -- unless I'm carted off by Disney Security for fudging the means by which I use the men's room ....Ciao, for now Bellas.

 

[Ariel8676]

I defintitely would have said something. I am a Mom of 3 girls 5,4 and 18 months and can not even imagine someone doing something as disgusting as this.
It really amazes me at how many people(both Men and Women)do not show any common courtesy or any type of manners anymore, and how many Women i see that do not wash their hands after using the restroom...EEEEWWW (lol thats just a vent i needed get in here,,)
Anyway so sorry that you had to sit through that..but even more, i feel bad for the children of parents that act this way.

 

[BellePrincessBelle]

I saw a woman change her son in the middle of the Disney Store one day. She just plopped him down(about 3 y.o.) and proceed to change a nasty smelly diaper. I told a CM and they tried to speak to her but she pulled the no speak english card. Another time on an airplane someone changed the nastiess smelling diaper I have ever smelled right on the seat next to her. The woman sitting in the 3rd seat was literally gagging!!! The airplane had a changing table aleit small. I used it for my son so I know it could be done.

 

[kaysmommie]

Yuck She should have at least use a lounge chair and changing pad on top of it. that is so grose and germy and who would think it's OK to change a diaper on and eating table . Last trip we just took DS back to the room if he needed changing at the resort. I do hate those changing tables in the ladies restrrom though some people are just nasty and rude. I made sure to bring my own disposable changing pads so I could throw them away after each use and also I washed DS hands right after changing him in there. We did change him in our stroller some but sometimes we had the rental and I would certainly not change him in that. I just wish people would have more common courtesy for others.

 

[CampbellScot]

That is SO wrong...geez, do people even realize how many bacterial illnesses can be passed around that way?! SERIOUSLY. That is a public health and safety issue. I'd have said something. I would have told her how unsafe and unsanitary it was to change a messy diaper on a table where people, especially young children, EAT. Kids are constantly with their hands in their mouths, mouths ON tables...etc. I shudder to think about what is going into their little bodies b/c people are so incredibly inconsiderate and just plain unsanitary. This is why I am obsessive about the antibacterial wipes swiping every table my family sits at. People laugh and roll their eyes, but there is a method to my madness!

This woman is just another example of the "My child/family/convenience is more important than anyone elses". So many people do as they please b/c they feel entitled to do so. There is little to no thought for those around you or how one's actions might effect others. Drives me crazy.

I must say I was encouraged by the responses to the OP though! I read this thread thinking that people would think the OP was being mean or not having compassion for the mom...I should have KNOWN that Dis-ers would be more sensible!

 

[DVCJones]

When I read the title of your post - I thought - oh geeze - I would change DD poolside (figuring you meant in the baby's stroller or discreetly on a chair that was well covered with a towel/changing pad). But I agree - on the table - that's a whole different story!

Personally, I avoid changing tables for DD - but that being said, it's because we have perfected the art of changing in her stroller - either in the restroom or pulled into a corner near the restrooms (unless it is an emergency of course), so I can understand an "on the go" change - but on a dining table - that's nuts!

Just curious - how old was the baby?

Also - I wouldn't have said anything - there's many rude/cluless people out there and I used to get worked up at crazy things I saw - but now, I just try not to notice and go about my business (and I always use a lysol wipe to wipe down the tables before we eat at the pool- but more bc I was worried about bird poop!!!!)

Ditto!!!!

 

[DVCJones]

We were staying at the Port Orleans Riverside last week and one morning as we we approached the bus stop, a lady was changing her kids diaper on one of the bench's. Her family was not the only family at the bus stop when we approached either. I thought it was disgusting! She could've walked back to her room (or made sure to change him before leaving the room) and caught the next bus if need be. Some of us don't want to see the private parts of another kid, let alone do I want MY kids to see them!

I can't tell you how many times I changed my kids diapers right before leaving the house only to have them "fill it it up" 2 seconds later.

I guess I don't have a problem with this mother changing her child on a bench.

Who knows how far her room was. Also imagine if she had other children with her. It would be hard to convince them to go back to the room when they are so excited to get to the parks. I think it was a better choice than taking the child with the offending odor on the bus for everyone to enjoy

I also try to give the mom and child a little privacy and direct my kids in another direction.

We have all been there!!!

Thankfully it wasn't a place where people are eating!!! There is NO excuse for that. That is just gross!

 

[xoprincessmomxo]

Thanks for making me lose my appetite!!!

I have a 7 month old in diapers, and there is no way I would change her diaper right out there on a table for everyone to enjoy! Yuck! I don't like her little poopy bottom being exposed to everyone within viewing distace anyway!

And, I probably wouldn't have said anything directly. I'm one of those people that likes the perp to overhear my disgust, like "Honey, can you believe how inconsiderate some people are" or "I didn't order eau de poopy pants with my fries..." But, the appropriate thing would have been to tell a CM.

 

[kaysmommie]

I can't tell you how many times I changed my kids diapers right before leaving the house only to have them "fill it it up" 2 seconds later.

I guess I don't have a problem with this mother changing her child on a bench.

Who knows how far her room was. Also imagine if she had other children with her. It would be hard to convince them to go back to the room when they are so excited to get to the parks. I think it was a better choice than taking the child with the offending odor on the bus for everyone to enjoy

I also try to give the mom and child a little privacy and direct my kids in another direction.

We have all been there!!!

Thankfully it wasn't a place where people are eating!!! There is NO excuse for that. That is just gross!

I agree with you. I have changed my DS( when he was in diapers) only to have him have a diaper full of pee a few minutes later. I have changed him at the AKL bus stop bench with a changing pad underneath. We ate dinner there and were waiting for the bus back to our resort. I would rather not change diapers in public but sometimes it's unavoidable. But to change a child on a dining table , Yuck!. Also we use those scented bags so as not to stink up the garbage cans.

 

[Lady V]

When I worked at Dixie Stampede as a server i actually had a woman change her child right there at the the table and try to put the dirty diaper in the soup bowl and she tried to hand me the bowl with the dirty diaper. I told her to take the daiper out and that people are eating out of these bowls and that she needed to dipose of it herselve. Needless to say-I found it under the table after the show. NIce...

 

[jessica52877]

I never changed my son on an eating table, but have seen it done. I thought it was gross and said so kindly. I do avoid most changing tables as they are disgusting too, for the most part I always tried to change my son in the car on the seat i will sit on. I have changed him on grassy areas or a bench (outside) in my time too! I always put something down also.

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

While at the Wilderness Lodge last week, we enjoyed eating our breakfast poolside. There are five of us. Anyway, one morning while we were eating our breakfast and planning the day...we look to our right, because frankly..there was this odor..and what do we see? A woman changing her baby on the next table. I mean these are not the lounge chairs(which were right next to her table)...but an actual table you would sit and eat at. I know what it's like to have a baby..and there is a sort of say an emergency and you have to make do where you are...but this was simply a case of the baby obviously needed changing, and the mom apparently didn't see anything wrong with changing the little one on the table. No...towel under it..NOTHING. Didn't do much for the appetite, and all I could think about was that the day before we had eaten right there! Made me realize I should carry wipes with me and give all tables a quick cleaning before sitting down. There are two bathrooms nearby..both equipped with changing tables..or for that matter, if she had a child in the pool that she felt she couldn't leave, I think at the very least she could have laid a towel down on a lounge chair off to the side and changed the baby. I know for a fact she was there with other adults..but they were in the pool. I think she was just totally clueless. We quickly finished up and gathered our trays and left. My husband turned to me and said he almost wanted to say something. What would you say.."Excuse me..that's really kind of nasty??" I don't know, if someone didn't see any problem with this..there probably wasn't much you could say without starting a confrontation. Sure made us think twice about dining pool side again. I just wondered...am I so far removed from this now..that I'm being overly sensitive..after all my youngest is 15..so it's been a long time. I just feel that Disney is so family friendly that there were any number of things she could have done.

I haven't read all the responses, but WOW, my jaw would have been hanging wide open. If I were eating, I probably would have had the gag reflex kick in. I've had 3 little ones and like you said, sometimes you have to make due, but that's just all out disgusting-using a chair or lounger would have been different, but doing it on an eating surface. Yuck! I don't think I would have said anything, because like you mentioned, it would be hard to say something without instigating a confrontation and that is just not what I'm about when I'm on vacation with my family. It definitely would cure me of simply plopping down at a table without cleaning it first. Your experience just convinced me to carry those travel sized disinfectant wipes. Ewwww!

 

[auntie]

I'm thinking the baby was at least a year old..maybe older. It wasn't a tiny infant by any means...judging by the size of the butt we were looking at and the...material being cleaned off it. I didn't want to look all that much..I had been eating up until that point. Pretty much spoiled our appetites and we cleaned up and left. Shaking our heads..thinking is it us..? Are we crazy. We couldn't believe someone would actually do this. With so many other options available to them. I mean most of us have been in a situation at one point or another where you have to change a child, and it's not the right time or place. However...to do it on a table where people eat..with people sitting arms length away from you. I just thought that was nuts. She could have easily placed the little one in the stroller, and turned it the other way..or even used a lounge chair with a towel underneath it. She didn't even place a towel on the table. All we could think of was how we had just eaten breakfast there the day before, and wondered if she had changed the baby there that day too? I wish I had said something...but there wasn't a castmember nearby..and frankly, we were sort of flabergasted. I don't know, you kind of think that maybe we've been removed from this for a while, and I don't want to be unsympathetic to someone with a baby....but she could have chosen to do something different. I just think a table of all places where food is consumed..that was very unsanitary. Also...after doing this..she obviously isn't washing her hands...and I didn't stick around to see if she wiped down the table or her hands with any type of disinfecting wipe..but something tells me she likely did not.

 

[ksumn1]

I have a 4 year old, so I'm not too far removed form the diaper changing days. There is no excuse for changing a child on a table where people eat. I'm one of those people whose own kids poops didn't bother me, but other people's kids poop is like kryptonite. I babysit for family occasionally and I have to fight the urge to gag when changing poopy diapers. Combine this with working in the food industry for over 10 years and I really feel sick to my stomach just thinking about this.

I know it's inconvenient to have to haul the baby, stroller, wet kids out of the pool and all that other baby paraphanelia to the restroom, but that's part of being a parent, annoying as it is.

I agree that this lady was very inconsiderate, gross and probably oblivious to the fact that what she did was wrong. Some people just don't get it. They do what they want with no thought to others at all. I guarantee you she's the type of person who thinks nothing of letting her 2 year child order a tthe drive thru speaker. (One of my personal pet peeves)

 

[2 princes 1 princess]

You mean a "thong" bottom? For the most part, the people who wear thongs and skimpy speedos are from other countries and simply don't understand our American puritan instincts.

I saw two women in g-strings at Blizzard Beach in the kid's section walking up the steps to the little slide area. They were not thongs, they were strings. (A step above dental floss I may add) I wanted to say something to a CM but I was not in the mood to complain. Sometimes the mood strikes and sometimes it doesn't.

 

[auntie]

I don't know that you can say they are probably foreign travelers..as my Aunt and Uncle live near Tarpon Springs...and a few years back they were seeing alot of the "dental floss" type bathing suits. They didn't appreciate it, or think it was family friendly.